Hayao Miyazaki to release computer-animated short film

The "retired" co-founder of the legendary Studio Ghibli has been working for years on his newest production, which will be screened at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan.

The legendary career of Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has been elaborated extensively by better hands and better minds, but that doesn't mean the extent of his wondrous work isn't felt even here. So when word that the formerly retired director had more work on the way, the excitement was feverish.

Since ending his career with his 2014 film The Wind Rises, the 74-year-old handed the reigns of Studio Ghibli to his son Goro, but there was always speculation that he'd be creating new material. After all, Miyazaki has claimed he would be retiring six times already.

For the last three years (technically before his latest retirement announcement), Miyazaki has been working on an animated short, but not with his traditional hand-drawn style. The as-of-yet untitled project will be his first animated short and will be shown at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Japan.

After receiving an honorary Oscar from The Academy Awards last year, Miyazaki discussed the hand-drawn style he's so well-known for and the future of the industry. "I think talent decides everything," he said to reporters. "More than the method, what's important is the talent using it. There's nothing inherently wrong or right about a method, whether it be pencil drawings or 3-D CG. Pencil drawings don't have to go away, but those who continue to use the medium lack talent. So sadly, it will fade away."